POWERGRAMS

POWER OF GOOD Photo cortesy of the Daily Mountain Eagle president. "We brought trinkets for the kids." APSO covered the $1,000 cost for two children to attend. Thanks to Magic City APSO's efforts, U.S. soldiers will enjoy happier holidays. Angel Pounds, general clerk for Power Delivery-Distribution at Metro SouthPelham, galvanized Support Our Troops efforts in Birmingham Division, with help from other business offices. Employees at several Alabama Power offices took part, providing notes of encouragement for soldiers, lip balm, snacks, travel-size toiletries, magazines, DVDs, newspapers, socks, gloves and wet wipes – along with hot chocolate and apple cider packets for a taste of home. Pounds sent the gifts to Soldiers' Angels, which packaged them in Christmas stockings. Brooke Williams, engineer at 12th Street Crew Headquarters, said Birmingham Division and General Services Complex employees shopped for 125 Salvation Army angels on Nov. 14. Jasper Business Office Manager Susan McKinney and Distribution Specialist Renevia Johnson shared their holiday spirit at Jasper's Christmas Parade. So much merchandise moved through, Williams said, that the Pelham Wal-Mart action, reaching out to Plant Farley APSO President Peppi Cooper. set up a dedicated cash register for the They ensured all of the seniors were "adopted" – with the help of Farley Alabama Power shoppers. APSO's Angel Tree Annual Golf Tournament employees, contractors, friends, APSO volunteers and other charitable financed the gifts, which Salvation Army staff picked up. groups. "Truly, this was a combined effort that shows what can happen To be able to provide gifts to residents served by Northwest Alabama when a group of people come together for a common goal," Cooper Mental Health, members of Western Division APSO's Fayette said. On Dec. 18, APSO members delivered the gifts to Gordon subchapter thought outside the box. Stephanie Aldridge, Anita Town Hall. But the team spirit didn't stop there: With donations from Cargile, Cindy Harcrow, David Logan, Lisa Rushing and Rhonda APSO and members of Weeks held a "Swamp John" Farley's International fundraiser – selling chicken, Brotherhood of fish and shrimp plates – Electrical Workers, to Fayette Office employees APSO volunteers built and customers. a handicap ramp for a "We gave a $1,200 check special needs citizen.   to Northwest Alabama Members of the Mental Health to buy International Association Christmas gifts for clients in of Administrative Fayette and Vernon," said Professionals at Alabama Cargile, customer service Power decorated two representative. "I used to do Christmas trees for the this project with my church. annual Illuminations A lot of the residents don't fundraiser for have family so they never Children's Hospital get gifts, and it's great to see in Birmingham. the smile on their faces." Compliance and After a full day's work on Technical Services Dec. 11, Fayette employees Secretary Prissy Daly became Santa ambassadors, chaired the project. joining staff from Northwest As part of Mobile Gorgas APSO's Julia Hester wrapped Alabama Mental Health in APSO's signature gifts for mentally challenged adults in the shopping at Fayette's WalTriCounty program. project for Wilmer Mart. Hall, homeless children On Dec. 7, Carolyn Evans and single mothers will enjoy a happier holiday season. Mobile APSO and Ann-Marie Straughn President Paul Thrash said they set aside $4,000 for residents' gifts, helped lead Gordon's annual which they shopped for and delivered to Wilmer Hall. "We wanted to Christmas Parade. A crowd make sure the residents would have the gifts at Christmas," Thrash said. gathered as the parade passed Many Mobile Division employees gave gifts to Toys for Tots, with in front of Town Hall. The APSO members collecting the presents from division offices and crew event included fire, police headquarters. Top: Customer Service Supervisor and emergency units from Pugh summed up her thoughts about employees' giving to Sharon Murrill was among four Houston County, Webb, communities. Mobile APSO volunteers who helped Columbia, Gordon and serve a holiday lunch to the elderly at "The kind of people Barry Steam Plant and Alabama Power are, they Dothan. Via Senior Center. put love and laughter into our lives," she said. "The way they treat When Ashford Office Bottom: Greene County's my residents with such respect, and the way they have helped us with Manager Evans heard that Sha Torya Eaton and Shenita Conwell everyday care, I'll never forget it." 30 Gordon senior citizens coordinated the plant's gifts for wouldn't have Christmas Marengo and Greene county By Donna Cope presents, she sprang into DHR clients. 5

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